Grave marker protective structure

ABSTRACT

A unitary vegetation-retarding grave-marker-protective structure having a horizontal base portion defining an opening, a vertical transition portion terminating in a horizontally outwardly directed stabilizing ground-engaging flange which resists sinking of the marker assembly into the earth. The transition portion having a lower substantially vertical portion and an upper portion which is upwardly and outwardly directed. A rectangular rigid marker-supporting base in underlying faceto-face securement with an overlying grave marker. Drainage means between the marker-supporting base and receptacle for conducting water downwardly between the receptacle and marker base and out through an opening in the protective structure. Inwardly directed integral spacer means on the transition wall. Upwardly directed integral spacing means on the base portion.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Joseph J. Matvey 208 Orin St.,Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235 [2]] Appl. Nov 847,610 [22] Filed Aug. 5, 1969[45] Patented Sept. 14,1971

[54] GRAVE MARKER PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 52/103,

40/124.5, 52/102, 52/169, 52/298 [51] Int. Cl E04h 13/00 [50] Field ofSearch 52/ 103,

3,082,559 3/1963 Davis ABSTRACT: A unitary vegetation-retardinggrave-markerprotective structure having a horizontal base portiondefining an opening, a vertical transition portion terminating in ahorizontally outwardly directed stabilizing ground-engaging flange whichresists sinking of the marker assembly into the earth. The transitionportion having a lower substantially vertical portion and an upperportion which is upwardly and outwardly directed.

A rectangular rigid marker-supporting base in underlying face-to-facesecurement with an overlying grave marker. Drainage means between themarker-supporting base and receptacle for conducting water downwardlybetween the receptacle and marker base and out through an opening in theprotective structure. inwardly directed integral spacer means on thetransition wall. Upwardly directed integral spacing means on the baseportion.

PATENTED SEP 1 4 IQYI FIG.

I l l s- I I /ano 4 RICHARI! ROE FIG. 3;

INVEN TOR.

JOSEPH J. MATVEY MBAUAWW A t lorney GRAVE MARKER PROTECTIVE STRUCTUREBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a decorative, stabilizing vegetationinhibiting grave markerreceptacle and more specifically to such a receptacle having integraldrainage means and stabilizers to prevent undesired displacement of themarker assembly.

2. Description of the Prior Art Generally flat platelike grave markerswhich are placed in horizontal position close to ground level arefinding increasing use. A suitable grave-identifying embossment isprovided on the exposed upper surface of such markers. A rectangularmarker-supporting base member of uniform thickness, generally made fromprecast concrete or granite, is placed within an opening in the earth.The marker is secured by suitable fasteners to the top of the base andis thereby maintained in the desired position. The marker is generallyso secured in face-to-face contact with the upper surface of the base.One conventional means of effecting such securement is by means of boltshaving their heads recessed within the marker base and free endsextending upwardly through openings in the marker. Nuts are secured overthe free ends. Alternatively, the bolts may be threadedly secured tothreaded bores depending from the lower surface of the marker and theheads secured to the base member.

These grave markers, which are generally made of a suitable metal suchas bronze, provide an attractive uniform appearance to a cemetery asthey eliminate the variations in height, size and appearance sofrequently encountered with respect to cemeteries having tombstones.

Such markers frequently reduce the amount of hand maintenance ofvegetation required to obtain the desired aesthetically pleasingcemetery appearance. As the markers are secured close to ground level,some installations may permit the passage of a power lawnmowerthereover. Others, while not so installed, do permit simplified handcutting as by scythe or sickle in a fashion not possible where aphysical obstruction such as a tombstone extends upwardly a substantialdistance above ground.

One of the main problems encountered in connection with the use of suchmarkers is that with the passage of time, grass and other vegetationextend over and obscure the markers. ln numerous instances the grasssubstantially completely covers the marker. Frequently, this process isaccelerated by rain and snow eroding the surrounding soil and moving itdown onto the marker. This provides a fertile soil foundation for rootexpansion of the surrounding grass. Thus, vegetation presents twohazards, i.e., elongation of the individual plants in a directionoverlying and obscuring the marker and outer root expansion thereover.Removing the covering soil and vegetation which it supports is a timeconsuming and difficult task which can at best be expensively andimperfectly accomplished. In addition, the identifying embossments onthe markers provide surface irregularities which entrap soil and presentphysical obstructions to proper cleaning.

Another serious problem with such marker installations is the tendencyfor the marker and supporting member to sink into the ground as theground becomes softened by rain or snow. Also contributing to thisundesired movement are the alternate freeze-thaw cycle encounteredduring the winter. In addition, this sinking action may occurirregularly in such fashion that portions of the marker may moveupwardly to a substantial distance above ground. Such movement not onlyis aesthetically unpleasing, but also an obstruction which presents aphysical hazard to both people and equipment. This produces a need forinefficient, time-consuming and expensive hand trimming.

An additional problem encountered with such markers is that the waterand soil which impinge upon the marker are potentially corrosivematerials which over an extended period of time may severely damage themarker.

Various forms of grave-marker-protective devices have been previouslyknown. U. S. Pat: No. 2,383,787 discloses a v ground-surface-positionedrectangular frame of tubular construction having an inwardlyopen-portion which receives the larger edges of the marker. The framematerial may be plastic and the frame may resiliently engagethe marker.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,095,290 discloses a modified marker having drain holescommunicatingwith underlying pipes which are cast into the concretebase. The verticaldrainpipes connect with horizontal drainpipes whicharealso cast in the irregularly shaped base member. The base' has a portionwhich extends upwardly to provide a rigid marker boarder above groundlevel.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,378,942 discloses an irregularly shaped protectivechannel frame into which a conforming concrete base is cast. An inwardlydirected leg is disposed intermediate the outer portions of the markerunderside and a portion of the base. The corners of the channel frameare provided with two V-shaped grooves for carrying water to the outerperiphery. The assembly is set into the ground with the V,-shapeddrainage grooves disposed above ground. Water impinging upon the groovesintermediate the corners of the base must be caused to flow horizontallyto a comer for discharge. U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,559 contains a similardisclosure of a surrounding grave marker into which an irregularlyshaped concrete base is cast. The corners provide gapsfor drainage ofwater to the outer periphery. The outer periphery has an upstandingraised rim which resists grass growth over the edge. The surround is ofsolid transverse cross section having an outer vertical face and topwall extending therefrom.

None of the known systems is adapted for use with conventionalrectangular substantially rigid concrete or precast marker-supportingbases. Also, these structures fail to provide positive means forresisting sinking or tilting of the marker as,- sembly. In addition, noeffective means of preventing vegetation expansion, while simultaneouslyproviding no significant obstacle to the use of power mowers, inconnection with assemblies having the above-named features is provided.This is particularly important as an increasing number of memorial parksare requiring installation of memorial markers at or below groundsurface. These systems also provide no means for effectively drainingundesired moisture from a structure employing a conventional marker-baseto an underground position. Also, these known structures fail to providea way of employing a marker-supporting base'of greater size than themarker to provide a decorative boarder therefor, as is desired. in agreat number of conventional installations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has solved. the above-describedproblems by providing a protective structure which has a receptacle forreceipt of a marker-supporting base, which may be a conventional graniteor precast concrete base, which is secured in underlying dispositionwith respectto a substantially flat'conventional grave marker bearing asuitable informational legend.

The receptacle of this invention has a base, an upstanding transitionalwall and an outwardly directed substantially horizontal ground-engagingportion. The. base portion and transition portion cooperate to define anupwardly open receptacle which is positioned within a recess in thegroundv and into which a marker-supporting base is received.

The horizontal receptacle base may have one or more openings whichcooperate with vertical channel means defined between the transitionwall and the marker-supporting base to provide a continuous waterdischarge for transporting water away from the marker and into theunderlying earth. A water-permeable material may be placed within orunder the receptacle to facilitate the rapid dischargev of water.

The transition portion has a lower first section which is'substantiallyvertical and an integrally formed second section extending upwardly andoutwardly from the first section. inwardly directed spacing means serveto maintain the desired gap between the transition portion and thelateral wall of the marker-supporting base.

The ground-engaging flange extends horizontally outwardly on the groundsurface to provide a continuous ground-contacting flange which inhibitsgrowth of vegetation and inhibits erosion of soil onto the markerassembly. The ground-engaging flange also serves to resist any sinkingof the marker-supporting base and marker as a result of soft soilconditions. It also resists any tendency for the marker assembly to listor sink unevenly. This stabilization is accomplished by transmitting thedownwardly directed load applied to the receptacle base through thetransition portion to the circumferentially continuous ground-contactingportion.

It is an object of this invention to provide a ground-recessedreceptacle for receiving a grave marker assembly in order to resistundesired physical displacement of the assembly as well as resistingphysical obliteration thereof by encroachment of surrounding vegetationand soil.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a structurewherein an integral channel discharges water and other foreign materialsfrom the receptacle to the underlying soil.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a structurewhich can be economically manufactured and installed and is adapted foruse with conventional substantially rectangular marker-supporting basemembers and conventional grave markers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a receptacle havingground-surface-engaging portions which establish uniform peripheralresistance to undesired displacement of the marker-supporting base.

These and other objects of this invention will be understood from thefollowing description of the invention on reference to the illustrationsappended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the gravemarker installation provided with a protective structure of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along22.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 1 taken along2-2.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation similar to that of FIG. 2, illustratinga modified form of structure.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view in plan showing a form ofdrainage channel of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of another form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more specificallyto the drawings, with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, aconventional substantially flat grave marker 2 bearing a suitableinformational legend 4 is shown. A substantially rectangular rigidmarkersupporting base 6 of uniform thickness is positioned in underlyingsupporting relationship with respect to the marker 2. In the formillustrated, the upper surface 8 is larger than the marker and adecorative marginal frame portion 10 is exposed. In the form shown inFIG. 3, the grave marker 2 and marker-supporting base 6 aresubstantially coextensive with the top portion of the marker-supportingbase 6 not exposed.

The marker-supporting base 6, which is generally made of precastconcrete or granite, has its upper surface 8 in face-toface contact withthe lower surface of marker 2. Conventional fastener means (not shown),such as bolts having their heads recessed in the base 6 and free endsdirected upwardly with a retaining nut affixed thereto, are employed tosecure the marker 2 to the marker-supporting base 6.

The receptacle shown in FIGS 1 and 2 is substantially rectangular andhas web portions of substantially uniform thickness. It is ofsubstantially uniform transverse cross section throughout itscircumference. The receptacle has a substantially horizontal baseportion 20, a generally vertical transition portion 22 and an outwardlydirected generally horizontal ground-engaging portion 24.

As seen in FIG. 2, the base defines an opening 26 which is generallysmaller than the marker and permits drainage water to flow out of thereceptacle and into the underlying earth in a fashion which will bedescribed in greater detail below. The periphery or transition portion22 extends upwardly from the outer periphery of the base 20. Theperiphery or transition portion 22 has a first or lower portion 30 whichextends substantially vertically upwardly and an integrally formed upperorsecond section 32 whichextends upwardly and outwardly therefrom to anelevation near the surface 36 of earth 38. The ground-engagingportion'24 is connected with the upper extremity of second portion 32andextends outwardly along the ground surface 36 to the outer periphery40 of the protective structure. The protective structure has itsundersurface from the outer periphery 40 down to the base opening 26 insubstantially continuous contact with the surrounding earth.

The base portion 20 and the peripheral wall portion 22 combine to definethe upwardly open receptacle into which the marker supporting member 6and grave marker 2 are received. The receptacle is in substantiallycomplete noncontacting position with respect to the marker 2. The topsurface of the grave marker 2 may extend a slight distance above theground, but it is preferably positioned at ground level 36. Thispreferential placement results in the highestportion of grave marker 2,generally the legend 4, being positioned substantially at ground level.

The ground-engaging flange 24 is in overlying contact with the earthsurface 36 and prevents the growth of vegetation thereover. In addition,it resists inward spread of grass 52 and other vegetation toward thegrave marker 2. The flange 24 also serves to resist erosion of the soilwhich could bring about not only destruction of the aestheticallypleasing appearance, but also physically destructive corrosion of themarker 2.

The ground-engaging flange 24 serves an important stabilizing function.As has been stated above, a substantial problem in connection with gravemarkers is the sinking and undesired shifting of position resulting fromsoft supporting soil, particularly after rain, snow and duringfreeze-thaw cycles. The conventional marker-supporting base generally iseither a granite or precast concrete member which contributes to stabilesupport. They are quite heavy and over a period of time tend to becomedisplaced with changes in soil condition. As a result of the substantialsize and weight, once sinking or tilting movement has occurred, they aredifficult to reposition. With my structure the downwardly directed loadimposed upon base portion 20 is transmitted through lateral portion 22to groundengaging portion 24 which is in firm surface-to-surface contactwith the earth surface 36 around the periphery of the receptacle. Thus,the downwardly directed load is firmly borne by the circumferentialsupport provided by ground-engaging portion 24.

In FIG. 2 it is seen that the receptacle is slightly enlarged withrespect to the marker-supporting base 6 in order to provide spaces whichserve as vertical drainage channels. A water-permeable material 54 ispositioned intermediate the marker-supporting base 6 and receptacle baseportion 20. As used herein, the term water-permeable material" refers toa material having a superior capacity for permitting the flow of watertherethrough and includes, for example, such materials as gravel, sand,cinders, stone chips and mixtures thereof. The spaces 50 need not becircumferentially continuous, but should be present over a substantialportion of the circumference. Water entering the receptacle will beeffectively prevented from accumulating to any meaningful depth adjacentthe marker. The water will flow vertically downwardly by gravity throughspace 50 and then through water-permeable material 54 to be harmlesslydischarged into the earth below the marker.

In the preferred form of the invention, drainage channels of uniformdepth and frequency are provided. As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, integralspacing means extend inwardly from the lower or first section 30 oflateral wall 22. These spacing means 60 which are presentcircumferentially around the peripheral wall 22 contact the lateralsurface of markersupporting base 6 and define a plurality of verticaldrainage channels 62. Water flowing into the receptacle will, therefore,be discharged to the underlying earth through a plurality of dischargechannels 62 which surround the marker-supporting base 6. The water andsoil will not accumulate in an unsightly and potentially corrosiveposition. The spacers are preferably elongated upstanding stiffenerribs, but bosses or rib segments and other spacing structures may beprovided in lieu of or in addition thereto.

In the form shown in FIG. 5 and indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 4,upwardly directed spacing elements 64 are provided within the baseportion 20. These-define channels 66 which direct the water towardopening 26 in base portion and thereby facilitate efficient discharge tothe surrounding earth.

It should be noted that by varying the depth of water-permeable material54 positioned within the receptacle, the same size receptacle may beemployed with marker supporting bases 6 of different heights. Suchvariations in material 54 may also be employed to precisely positionupper surface of grave marker 2 with respect to ground surface 36.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 6, the marker-supporting base 6 restsdirectly upon spacer elements 64. Spacer elements 64 define channel 66(FIG. 4) to facilitate discharge flow of water received from verticalchannels 62. In the form illustrated, a number of supplemental dischargeopenings 68 are provided in lateral wall 22 to discharge water into theearth surrounding the receptacle. Water-permeable material has beenpositioned adjacent the openings 68 to improve the efficiency ofdischarge flow. If desired, spacer elements 64 may be eliminated andopenings 68 may be employed as the principal or sole drainage openingsin this form of the invention or in other forms thereof.

The structure of this invention provides for positioning the gravemarker 2 substantially at ground surface and no interfering upstandingportions are provided to obstruct the normal passage of a power mower orother equipment. The ground engaging portion 24 is preferably flat, ofuniform thickness and in overlying contact with the ground surface. Asseen in FIG. 6, the mower 70 may readily pass over the markerinstallation without either the guard 72 or the blade 74 contacting themarker or the protective structure of this invention. As these bladesare generally set at about 1%, to 2 inches above the earth and the mowerguard extends even closer to the earth, this clearance is veryimportant. The wheels may readily pass over the ground-engaging portions24 without interference and without damage to portions 24. Maintenanceby power means is thereby facilitated and also potential damage to themarker, protective structure and mower are avoided.

The protective structure ofthis invention may be made of any suitablematerial which possesses sufficient strength to bear the loads that areencountered in service. The material should also resist corrosivedeterioration in use. A suitable material for this purpose is asubstantially rigid plastic material having some resiliency such asvinyls or a polyester resin such as polyethylene, for example. Ahigh-density polyethylene is a preferred material.

The structure may conveniently be assembled from extruded sections whichare cut to length and joined. It may also be conveniently integrallymolded as a unit. While the protective structure could be made frommetal, with or without a protective coating, the use of such a materialmay not be as economically advantageous as the use of a plasticmaterial.

It will be appreciated that the protective structure of this inventionprovides a receptacle for receiving a marker-supporting base inunderlying securement with respect to a substantially flat grave markerwhich is advantageously positioned generally at the earths surface orlower, but may be slightly higher. Integral means are provided foreffective drainage of potentially corrosive and aestheticallyundesirable water and soil around the marker-supportingbase, withdischarge into the surrounding earth. Sinking and undesired displacementof the assembly is resisted by the face-to-face engagement between theground-engaging means and the earth surface.

The ground-engaging means also serve to inhibit the spread of vegetationthrough elongation as well as through cultivation in eroded soil whichmight otherwise be present on the marker surface. The marker ismaintained in such position and the ground-engaging means are of suchconfiguration that power mowing of surrounding vegetation may beeffected without damage to either the mower or the marker-protectiveassembly. All of this may be accomplished by an aesthetically pleasingstructure which will provide the desired appearance to the grave markersite. In addition, the structure may be economically manufactured andinstalled. Installation is accomplished by merely providing a groundopening slightly larger than the marker-supporting base. Theground-engaging means, however, create a pleasant appearance of aframewhich is substantially larger than the ground opening.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that numerous variations of the details may be made withoutdeparting from the appended claims. i

l. A grave marker assembly comprising a protective structure comprisinga generally horizontal base wall, a transition portion and an outwardlydirected horizontal ground-engaging portion,

said base portion defining at least one opening,

said transition portion having a first section extending generallyvertically upwardly from said base and a continuous generally straightsecond section extending outwardly and upwardly,

said ground-engaging portion extending outwardly from said secondsection of said transition portion,

said base portion and said transition portion defining a unitarymarker-supporting base-receiving receptacle,

at least a major portion of said receptacle disposed within an openingin the earth,

said ground-engaging portion disposed above ground in overlying contactwith the earth surrounding said opening in the earth,

a rectangular rigid marker-supporting base disposed within saidreceptacle overlying said base portion, i

said grave marker secured to the upper surface of said rectangularmarker-supporting base,

drainage means defined between said first section of said transitionportion and said marker-supporting base for conducting water downwardlytoward the earth, and

the exterior of said receptacle and the underside of saidground-engaging portion in contact with the earth.

2. The grave marker assembly of claim 1 wherein said ground-engagingportion is of uniform width and terminates in a substantiallyrectangularouter periphery,

a water-permeable material is disposed within said receptacleintermediate said marker-supporting base and said receptacle base, andii I said drainage means has a plurality of inwardlydirected spacingribs contacting said marker-supporting base and maintaining open spacesbetween said transition section and said marker base whereby a pluralityof vertically disposed drainage channels is provided.

3. The grave marker assembly of claim 2 wherein said base defines anopening of smaller area than the area of said grave marker, and

said drainage means has continuous channels for permitting the flow ofwater downwardly between said transition 'section and saidmarker-supporting base into said waterpermeable material and then intothe earth underlying said opening in said receptacle base.

4. The grave marker assembly of claim 2 wherein said marker-supportingbase has a top surface area not less than that of said grave marker,

said marker-supporting base is substantially of uniform thickness, I I

said grave marker is secured in face-to-face overlying engagement withsaid marker-supporting base, i

said transition section and said ground-engaging portion are said markeris retained in noncontacting position with circumferentially continuous,respect to the surrounding earth by said protective said protectivemember is in noncontacting position with member.

respect to said marker, and

1. A grave marker assembly comprising a protective structure comprisinga generally horizontal base wall, a transition portion and an outwardlydirected horizontal ground-engaging portion, said base portion definingat least one opening, said transition portion having a first sectionextending generally vertically upwardly from said base and a continuousgenerally straight second section extending outwardly and upwardly, saidground-engaging portion exTending outwardly from said second section ofsaid transition portion, said base portion and said transition portiondefining a unitary marker-supporting-base-receiving receptacle, at leasta major portion of said receptacle disposed within an opening in theearth, said ground-engaging portion disposed above ground in overlyingcontact with the earth surrounding said opening in the earth, arectangular rigid marker-supporting base disposed within said receptacleoverlying said base portion, said grave marker secured to the uppersurface of said rectangular marker-supporting base, drainage meansdefined between said first section of said transition portion and saidmarker-supporting base for conducting water downwardly toward the earth,and the exterior of said receptacle and the underside of saidground-engaging portion in contact with the earth.
 2. The grave markerassembly of claim 1 wherein said ground-engaging portion is of uniformwidth and terminates in a substantially rectangular outer periphery, awater-permeable material is disposed within said receptacle intermediatesaid marker-supporting base and said receptacle base, and said drainagemeans has a plurality of inwardly directed spacing ribs contacting saidmarker-supporting base and maintaining open spaces between saidtransition section and said marker base whereby a plurality ofvertically disposed drainage channels is provided.
 3. The grave markerassembly of claim 2 wherein said base defines an opening of smaller areathan the area of said grave marker, and said drainage means hascontinuous channels for permitting the flow of water downwardly betweensaid transition section and said marker-supporting base into saidwater-permeable material and then into the earth underlying said openingin said receptacle base.
 4. The grave marker assembly of claim 2 whereinsaid marker-supporting base has a top surface area not less than that ofsaid grave marker, said marker-supporting base is substantially ofuniform thickness, said grave marker is secured in face-to-faceoverlying engagement with said marker-supporting base, said transitionsection and said ground-engaging portion are circumferentiallycontinuous, said protective member is in noncontacting position withrespect to said marker, and said marker is retained in noncontactingposition with respect to the surrounding earth by said protectivemember.